This service involves each member of the congregation through actions. Each worshipper receives a large nail upon arrival and is invited to interact with their nail at different points in the service. Following the reading from John 19 and Luke 23, they are invited to hold the nail for a personal reflection. Later they are invited to […]
Read full textCome to the table (communion hymn) — Stephen Best, Wales UK
Tune: Assurance 9.10.9.9. Come voice your struggles, come shed your tears, Come calm your anger, come lose your fears. Here we encounter the Living One Through bread that’s broken, in wine that’s poured Refrain: Come to the table, join in the song, This is the place where all shall belong. Voices in chorus, seeking Christ’s […]
Read full textIntercessory prayers — adapted from Christian Aid resource, UK
This multi-voice responsive prayer might incorporate groups of readers or individual voices. Group/Voice 1 states the facts about the suffering in our world. Group/Voice 2 lifts up those taking action to improve the situation and change the world. Group/Voice 3 voices a prayer request. Leader: Through our faith, we reach out to God, interceding […]
Read full textI cannot…, a Prayer of Intercession — Lawrence Moore, UK
At the end of each section, pause to allow participants time to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate, silently or aloud, as appropriate for the group. I cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry…. I cannot take wine and forget those who thirst for justice…. I cannot […]
Read full textPrayer for the New Year — Sandy Messick, USA
Ready-to-print copy: WORD Prayer for the New Year, Sandy Messick God of all times and seasons, On this threshold of a new year, we turn and return again to you. The year spreads before us with possibilities and challenges, joys and concerns. There is beauty all around: in the smiles of children, in the […]
Read full textPrayer of Adoration, Epiphany 4, Year C — Louise Gough, UK
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year C Luke 4:21-30 and 1 Corinthians 13 God whose love is vast and measureless, wider than the universe, unlimited and infinite: In wonder WE WORSHIP YOU. God whose love will never run dry, will never fall short, will never fail: In wonder WE WORSHIP YOU. God whose love knows […]
Read full textDay of Remembrance, Canada, 6 Dec
Why 6 December? On 6 December 1989 fourteen women were murdered and nine women and four men were wounded at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Canada. The man responsible specifically targeted women, separating them from their male colleagues. The violence ended when he shot and killed himself. Since that day, 6 December has been set […]
Read full textPsalms – Old & New
Songs of praise Hymns of lament Words from the very depths of our being Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Psalms — old and new: an alphabetical listing
Read full textBlessing of Gardens & Gardeners (Plough Sunday)
Bring your seeds, your trowels, your overalls! Welcome spring with an act of worship celebrating creation, life and growth. In British tradition, Plough (Plow) Sunday is held on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Sunday between 7-13 January. Sometimes arriving in their farm carts or tractors, farmers bring a ploughshare (a section of the plough’s blade) […]
Read full textMark 10:17-31, Rich Ruler, a modern drama — Gobledales, UK
Mark 10:17–31 Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost, Year B A modern adaptation by Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK Click here to download the complete script in Word. Click here for complete script in pdf. PREPARATION: Keys and wallet placed about for Rich Man to find. CAST: Rich Man (starts at front with hand-held microphone) Jesus: starts […]
Read full textHindu Love Poem
For weddings and Valentine’s Day… Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, unite. You are thought and I am sound. May the nights be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet […]
Read full textValentine’s Day
How do we speak of love? What words hold the essence of the feeling, the experience, the action of loving? Newest ‘Valentine’s Day’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Valentine’s Day’ resources . . .
Read full textSonnet XVII, a love poem — Pablo Nerudae
for a wedding and Valentine’s Day… You have become mine forever. I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off. I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. I love you as the plant […]
Read full textPrayers of Intercession
Praying for others… Praying for our world… What words do we use to express the pain of our world? How do we meaningfully express our concerns, fears and anger? How do we verbalize the pain and suffering of creation — the people, the creatures, the land? How do we respond to both natural disasters and […]
Read full textPrayers of Confession
Words seeking the deepest places Words for rigorous honesty Words to cleanse the spirit, mind and soul Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Words of Confession’ resources . . . Featured image: Holocaust Memorial, San Francisco, California USA
Read full textPastoral Prayers
What words reach out to a gathered congregation? Do they bring comfort? Challenge? A call for renewal and re-commitment? Are we free or stuck in a formula? What words enable God to speak through us? Newest related posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Pastoral Prayers’ resources . . .
Read full textJohn 1:29-42 Dramatised, Tod Gobledale, UK
for Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year A Characters: (and starting positions) Narrator (pulpit or lecturn) John the Baptist (to side) _____________________________ Andrew, Disciple of John (to side) ___________________ Disciple of John 2 (to side)__________________ Jesus (at back) _____________________________ Simon Peter (to a wing) _____________________________ Script NARRATOR [at pulpit or […]
Read full textSong for Sunrise — Joy Cowley, New Zealand
Hey, beautiful morning, we’re singing your God song, a psalm of seas and mountains, of empty roads and houses yawning under a new blue bowl of sky. It’s the song of the bellbird, of steaming cows in sheds, of freckled trout quivering in deep dark pools, and dew on cobwebs lacing trees. Hey, beautiful morning, […]
Read full textWho is Jesus? — Eleanor Hubbard, Colorado USA
For Emalyn whom Eleanor mentored… Who is Jesus? A little boy born in a barn in a small village to poor parents. Two thousand, sixteen years ago. I wish I understood how and why he came still influencing billions of people today. What I do know is that Jesus healed people. Jesus taught, prayed, […]
Read full textA slow dawning — R S Thomas, UK
The first king was on horseback. The second a pillion rider. The third came by plane. Where was the god-child? He was in the manger with the beasts, all looking the other way where fourth was a slow dawning because wisdom must come on foot. R. S. Thomas, Counterpoint (1990) Shared by Sarum College, […]
Read full textBlessing for the new year — unknown author
May God make your year a joy-filled one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; […]
Read full textLas Posadas, Seeking room in the inn — Mexico
Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of children and other members of the community carrying candles. A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way. Jim Burklo has written new […]
Read full textSeason of Giving (in rhyme), for Advent — Jack Ouston, UK
A delightful reminder of the meaning of Advent and Christmas traditions for use in a Sunday morning worship service or a special Advent service. Written for 3-12 readers, with Scrooge-type voices (3, 5, 7 and 9) grumbling about traditions and other voices offering meaning. Easily read by adults without any rehearsal — just distribute a […]
Read full textChristmas Carols with Justice — SimpleLiving, USA
Simple Living provides lyrics for Christmas Carols with Justice. The verses blend traditional and bold progressive language. They are easy to use and bring the real world into Christmas. “Jesus’ birth has taken on much cultural significance as a celebration of good will, warm feelings and excessive consumerism. These new stanzas help to connect his birth […]
Read full textAdvent Candle 1, Hope — Rex Hunt, Australia
Advent 1 voice 1: Spontaneous sun voice 2: Generous giver of light, voice 3: Heat and energy… Light first Advent candle voice 4: We give thanks that throughout this season of hope we are warmed by the signs of hope we see in our world and in our own lives. . OR Advent 1: ‘Earth’ […]
Read full textChild’s prayer of thanks — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, Colorado USA
Thank you for my eyes that help me see the world. Thank you for my ears that bring music to my soul. Thank you for my feet that keep me on the ground. Thank you for my hands that I can wave around. For fingers and toes, Mouth and nose, Chin and hair, And even […]
Read full textThanksgiving Hymn — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Rivaulx For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. These lyrics work well on Mother’s Day. With the simple substitution of ‘father’ for ‘mother’ in the last verse, it fits in well on Father’s Day. For all the blessings in our life, For peace and calm amidst the strife, A thankful hymn […]
Read full textThanksgiving USA
National days set aside for thanksgiving offer wonderful opportunities to express our gratitude, often in an interfaith setting. How do we say “Thanks”? Thanksgiving & Harvest Resources
Read full textBlessing the Animals, St Francis Day 4 Oct
Joy and a bit-of-chaos sum up a Blessing of the Animals service! Sometimes held outside, sometimes inside, with care and safety measures in place (e.g. animals kept on leash or in carrier) an animal blessing service can provide meaning and relevance for children and anyone with a pet. Photos or soft toys (stuffed toy animals) may be brought […]
Read full textPrayers to help counter fear — Worship Ways, USA
Perfect love casts out fear. — 1 John 4:18 Pastoral Prayer Holy One, We live in fearful times. Suicide bombers, terrorists, climate change, economic crises— these are overwhelming realities. Hold us in our fears. Sometimes candidates in elections may prey on these fears. They paint pictures of disaster—especially if we vote for their opponents. Help […]
Read full textPsalm 95, Call to Worship — Ana Gobledale, UK
Inspired by Psalm 95, verses 1-2 Reading for Third Sunday of Lent, Year A, and 25th Sunday of Pentecost, Year A Sing for joy! Shout aloud in thanksgiving for the permanence of the Eternal One. Stand firm in faith, grateful for our unshakable foundation. Give thanks with music and song.
Read full textSpirit of Peace, a Remembrance Day Prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK
Remembrance Day, United Kingdom 11 November This prayer arises from a prayer written by Cara Heafey. God, we lift our prayer for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and asking that they may know peace: for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered […]
Read full textPassion Sunday Communion liturgy: Face the Music — Ana Gobledale
This service was compiled in 2007 for Boronia Church of Christ, Boronia, Victoria, Australia Call to Communion Face the music. Jesus calls us to follow him, not just to another party of praise, but to the hard work of bringing God’s love and justice into this world of violence and fear. Let us prepare ourselves […]
Read full textMatariki – Māori New Year & Harvest — New Zealand (Aotearoa)
Traditionally for the Maori, Ngā Mata o te Ariki, more commonly known as Matariki, is a time to remember those who have died in the last year. The Progressive Christianity Aotearoa website provides the outline of a service that may be used for Matariki, All Hallows Eve or All Saints Day. Matariki is the Māori […]
Read full textRemembering the Saints and Souls, New Zealand
This All Saints Day service was originally posted on the Progressive Christianity Aotearoa website. This service may also be used for Matariki, a traditional Maori mid-winter festival which marks the beginning of a new year for Maori. Matariki is a time for remembering the dead, and celebrating new life. We gathered at the gateway to […]
Read full textB – Prayers for Monday
Monday – New Creation from a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Meditation God is making all things new. The old things are passing away: death, sorrow, crying, pain. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox. Swords will be made into ploughshares. Justice and peace […]
Read full textWorld Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel
Each September the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches invites participation in the World Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel, a week of advocacy and action supporting an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the […]
Read full textCredo for Christians — Jim Burklo, USA
God is Love, the cosmic creativity present everywhere and in everything, Gently urging all toward the good. To transcending Love, we raise our awestruck praise! Jesus embodied the Love that is God. He loved the poor, the sick, the outcast, He loved the unpopular, and even his own enemies. He loved so completely, he loved […]
Read full textAwe fills us at the shore (hymn) — Jim Burklo, USA
(use freely with attribution) Tune: Madrid 6.6.6.6 – “Come Christians, Join to Sing” Watch mountain shadows run Allelujia! Amen! Clouds gilded by the sun Allelujia! Amen! Hear tumbling water sing Birds calling on the wing In canyons echoing Allelujia! Amen! Breathe in the desert air Allelujia! Amen! Let footsteps call to prayer Allelujia! Amen! Layers […]
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